We are quite out of money and are very much in need of some; will you be pleased to send us our yearly sum. I have been in hopes that Jonas [Varnum] would be able to help us some and I think another year he will be. It has been a cold season and we have been obliged to use more fuel than usual. The young ladies that have rented rooms in our house have now left and are gone to house keeping. I feel ashamed to ask you for more money? My own health is now quite comfortable. Give my love to your wife1 also my regards to Isaac2 and his intended trusting their hopes will never be blighted; that you will enjoy much of their society having them so near you; regards to Calvin3 also and be assured we should be very happy to see you any of you at our house.

Your affectionate Sister

Eliza M. Varnum

1 Dr. Calvin McQuesten was married for a third time to Elizabeth Fuller on December 22, 1853. They had no children.

2 Isaac is the son of Dr. Calvin McQuesten by his second wife, Estimate Ruth Esther Baldwin. Isaac Baldwin McQuesten and Mary Baker were married on June 18, 1873. They had seven children and Isaac died suddenly in 1888, leaving his family bankrupt.

3 Calvin Brooks McQuesten, son of Dr. Calvin McQuesten by his first wife, Margaret Lerned.

Copyright 2002 Whitehern Historic House and Garden
The development of this website was directed by Mary Anderson, Ph.D. and Janelle Baldwin, M.A.
Please direct questions and comments to Mary Anderson, Ph.D.

This site was created in partnership with and is hosted by the Hamilton Public Library.

This digital collection was produced with financial assistance from Canada's Digital Collections initiative, Industry Canada.